INTRODUCTION Ir coarse abuse to each other. It was a fertility rite. This probably cor- responds in another form to the Assamese Magh Bihu on the occasion of which the children and young men repair to the house made for the pur- pose (arali or Bhela ghar) on the eve of the Bihu, often beat the drum and indulge themselves in feasting and merry-making. Early on the mning of the Bihu day (winter solstice) they make a bonfire by setting fire to the house and the high poles covered with straw. As this falls after the winter harvest, Pithds cakes), Kadis (fried grains) and sandah (fried-rice beaten flat) are prepared and eaten on the occasion. A similar practice prevails among the Kurmis who are, according to Col. Dalton, connected with the Kalitas, | “The Kurmis do not appear to have any anti-Hindu religious ceremonies; but one of their festivals, the “Akhan Jatra”, or cake-festival, is noticeable. On the last day of the month of Pus when the granaries are full, the people make cakes in the shape of a double cone called "Gegoria pitha, put on their best attire and assemble on a green out- side their village, and the youngmen and women form circles and dance and sing.” | ) Baba n:—In vedic literature Visuvant” is the middle day in the Sattra or sacrificial session of a year's duration. It literally means the day when night and day-light are equal, i.e. equinoxial day (Ath. XI. 7.15). On that day Govaiavan rite is performed. This is in honour of the sun (Aditya) and for the welfare and acquisition of cattle. This sacrifice is observed in Assam as a great national festival at the vernal equinox under the name of “Bihu” or “Bahag Bihu”. In the morning the cattle are ceremonially bathed and special food and new rope provided that day. The people also put on new clothes. Feasting and merry-making form part of this festival. (d) The Barkhelia and Puthimachi vect:- Besides the Tantric and Skta corruptions of the religion of the Vedas a peculiar form of religion known as Malantaism is followed by a section 1 ibid, P. 24.
- Dalton's Ethnology of Bengal : the Kurmis.
3 See Macdonell and Keith's Vedic Index of Name and Subject. Aitareya Brahmana, V. 18.6. 5 This festival ought to fall on 21st March when the sun enters the first point of Aries and when day and night are equal. But owing to the precession of equinox it now falls on 13th April. Thus, the cquinox has preceded the sacrificial day by 24 days. The rate of precession is 50.24” in one year or in 72 years. At this rate this precession of 24 days has taken place in 1733.3 years. Probably we may take the Julian correction (ie the calendar introduced by Julas Caesar) as the starting point. This means that this festival was at least as old as 18 centuries B.C.
